The Inkey List vs The Ordinary: 30 Products Compared

The Inkey List vs The Ordinary: Which is Better?

I recently tried several products from The Inkey List, a budget-friendly skincare line sold at Sephora here in the US. Impressed with the results, I decided to try similar products from another very popular budget skincare line, The Ordinary.

Both The Inkey List and The Ordinary are VERY AFFORDABLE (yes!). Both brands focus on single hero-ingredient products, which lend themselves to comparison.

Since both brands offer many of the same hero-ingredient products, I decided to compare my experience with similar products from The Ordinary vs The Inkey List in this post.

This post on The Inkey List vs The Ordinary contains affiliate links, and any purchases made through these links will result in a commission for me at no extra cost to you. Please read my Disclosure for additional information.

If you are wondering whether The Inkey List or The Ordinary has better skincare products, let’s look at the formula comparisons for each main ingredient/product type.

This serum is also formulated with 1% multi-molecular hyaluronic acid for hydration and to plump the skin.

• Glycerin hydrates
• Squalane moisturizes
• Pro-Vitamin B5 (panthenol) is an anti-inflammatory

This lightweight serum sinks in quickly and does not irritate my skin. It does not interfere with other skincare products or makeup. I enjoy the added hydration from hyaluronic acid.

I apply this when my skin is dry and irritated after retinoid use, and it helps to calm my skin and minimize irritation.

Like The Inkey List, this niacinamide serum contains a 10% concentration of niacinamide plus zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid at 1%, which helps to balance the visible aspects of sebum activity occurring in the sebaceous glands.

This comparison is the perfect example of how everyone’s skin is unique, and what works (or doesn’t work) for me may not work (or work) for you.

Unfortunately, an ingredient in The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% irritates my skin. I’ve used this product several times, and every time my skin becomes itchy and irritated.

I want to love this product because it is a best seller for The Ordinary, but it just didn’t work out for me.

It also contains Matrixyl 3000 peptide, which targets fine lines while plumping the skin and supporting collagen production.

The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid Serum is one of the best that I’ve tried. It dries quickly, works well with other products in my skincare routine, and really hydrates.

The only drawback for me was the squeeze bottle. Sometimes the serum would drip down the side of the bottle. This is a minor issue, considering how much I love the product itself.

The glass bottle and dropper make for a better delivery system than The Inkey List.

It also dries quickly and hydrates dehydrated and dry skin quite well. Precisely what it was designed to do.

I noticed some tingling and irritation immediately after applying it. The formula is grainy, and you need to be careful about layering it alongside other skincare ingredients because it may cause pilling.

While this product is for all skin types, combination, and oily skin types may benefit most from it since it leaves a matte finish on your face and acts almost like a primer for your makeup.

TIP: Instructions note that you can add a few drops of hyaluronic acid serum to the formula. This will thin it out and provide added moisture.

This formula feels smooth on the skin, but due to the very high concentration of topical vitamin C in the form of a suspension of very fine L-ascorbic acid powder, this product may cause an intense tingling sensation until your skin’s tolerance is increased.

The Ordinary offers 8 Vitamin C products, so I created this guide on vitamin C products from The Ordinary. The guide breaks down the benefits of each product and who they are best suited for.

Have you tried and had success with any of The Ordinary’s other Vitamin C formulas? If so, let me know!

TIP: If your skin is sensitive to this product, The Ordinary notes that this formula may be mixed with other creams or serums prior to each application to dilute the potency.

Continue reading for a comparison of less irritating vitamin C derivatives from The Inkey List and The Ordinary.

Retinol, a derivative of Vitamin A, which helps support collagen production and cellular renewal, and a granactive retinoid (ester of all-trans retinoic acid) are combined in a slow-release formula for maximum effect with minimum irritation.

The serum also contains squalane for moisture and hyaluronic acid for added hydration.

Due to the low concentration of retinoids, this could be a great option for beginners. (This was the first retinol/retinoid that I used that did not irritate my skin.)

My skin has improved clarity, and fine lines are diminished when I wake up in the morning after using this serum at night.

For more on this retinol serum, please see my The Inkey List Retinol review.

Related Post: The Best The Inkey List Products for Acne and Oily Skin

The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion contains a complex of solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate (HPR). HPR is a retinoic acid ester delivered in a protective capsule system for improved delivery and effects.

This newer form of retinoid claims to cause less irritation than other retinoids/retinols while being just as effective. The serum also contains an undisclosed amount of retinol.

This serum did not irritate my skin at all, which is very exciting considering I’ve had such a difficult time with retinoids in the past. Its creamy liquid formula applies smoothly after water-based serums but before thicker serums and creams.

RETINOID UPDATE: There are a lot of affordable retinoids on the market. You can’t go wrong with either retinoid, but the longer I use it, The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion has become one of my favorite retinoids on the market.

Related Post: A Drugstore Guide to Retinol

This toner is formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores and helps to improve skin texture and brightness.

After trying both of these glycolic acid products, I’ve determined that, unfortunately, I’m sensitive to glycolic acid.

While I found this toner less irritating than The Ordinary, I did notice that my skin seemed more refined the morning after using this.

The pH of this product is approximately 3.6, which is nearly the same as the pKa (acid availability) of glycolic acid, which is 3.6.

Having the same pH and pKa indicates a balance between acidity and salts. This allows for maximum efficacy with minimal irritation.

This The Ordinary glycolic acid toner irritated my skin and reddened my face upon application, although I did notice that my skin was brighter and clearer in the morning after using this at night.

Related Post: The Best The Ordinary Skincare Products for Oily & Acne-Prone Skin

Lactic Acid Serums

The Inkey List Lactic Acid Serum vs The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA

	The Inkey List Lactic Acid Serum	The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
Key Ingredients:	10% Lactic Acid, 1% Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid	10% Lactic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Benefits:	Exfoliates for brighter and smoother skin	Exfoliates for brigther skin, provides long-term moisture
Best For:	Suitable for those who tolerate lactic acid well	Suitable for those who tolerate lactic acid well
My Personal Experience:	Brighter and smoother skin after use	Noticeable refinement in skin texture
Price:	$12.99 for 1 oz.	$8.90 for 1 oz.

Low molecular hyaluronic acid has a lower weight, has smaller molecules, and can penetrate deeper into the skin than other varieties of hyaluronic acid.

The serum also contains moisturizing glycerin and antioxidant Agastache Mexicana Flower/​Leaf/​Stem Extract.

Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer has a very high water-binding capacity allowing it to provide long-term moisture.

The serum also contains Tasmanian Pepperberry to help reduce sensitivity and inflammation that can result from lactic acid use.

If this lactic acid serum is too strong for your skin, The Ordinary also offers a 5% Lactic Acid + HA Serum.

The last ingredient (a small concentration) in the formula is tetrapeptide-30. This peptide protects the skin barrier and can help fade hyperpigmentation.

The serum comes in a tube and has a lightweight opaque gel texture.

After application, it takes a bit of time to dry, but it does not interfere with other skincare and makeup products.

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA contains 2% alpha arbutin and hydrolyzed sodium hyaluronate, a next-generation form of hyaluronic acid. It penetrates the skin deeply for intense hydration.

The formula comes in a bottle with a dropper. It has the consistency of a clear runny gel.

Like The Inkey List, it takes some time to dry. It does not interfere with the application of other skincare products or makeup.

Rosehip Oil

Perfect for dull, uneven skin, this rosehip oil brightens with its antioxidant properties.

You’ll only need a few drops as the last step in your skincare routine. You can also mix a drop or two into your moisturizer or foundation for a beautiful glow.

Rich in linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and pro-vitamin A, the oil has a natural scent due to the high omega fatty acid content.

Even though packaged in glass, The Ordinary’s rosehip oil comes in UV-protective packaging. Only a drop or two is needed of this rich but light oil.

Like The Inkey List, it is best used as the last step of your skincare routine and can be mixed in with your foundation or moisturizer.

For more on The Ordinary’s rosehip oil, please see my The Ordinary rosehip oil review.

You only need a few drops to cover your entire face. I’ve used this at night, and I think it helps nourish my skin when using retinol and other potentially irritating products.

If you want a glow, you can give it a try during the day or add a drop or two to your foundation.

This is an even lighter-feeling squalane oil that sinks in quickly and is a real-deal multitasker.

I use it as the last step of my skincare routine, but I think both oils are light enough to use under a moisturizer.

NOTE: The Ordinary also has a gentle and hydrating Squalane Cleanser, ideal for dry skin.

I found a new favorite ingredient: SQUALANE! I can’t get over how light yet hydrating and plumping squalane oil is.

It really is ruining other oils for me because it feels so weightless on my skin. Both of these squalane oils are very light, which stood out to me during testing.

The packaging of the products is the most significant difference that I noticed.

The Ordinary comes in a glass bottle with a dropper. The Inkey List comes in a plastic tube with a disc cap. Using the tube with a disc cap could be a bit messy.

You don’t want to waste the oil and have it run down the side of the tube. But the disc cap has two opening levels that control the flow of oil.

Ascorbyl Glucoside converts to pure vitamin C in the skin, so it is less potent than pure vitamin C.

This vitamin C serum also contains 1% Epitensive, a plant-derived Epidermal Growth Factor system. It contains a protein that promotes cellular regeneration, collagen production, and skin elasticity.

This product is formulated to brighten dull and stressed-out skin. It is a lightweight gel formula that produces zero irritation on my skin.

It dries quickly with very little tackiness. Makeup applies easily after using this serum.

Although this derivative is more stable than pure vitamin C, it is less effective than L-ascorbic acid since it must be converted to L-ascorbic acid in the skin.

With that being said, this product still has skin-brightening benefits and other benefits of the antioxidant power of pure vitamin C. A noticeable benefit of this product is its comfortable texture on my skin.

The serum absorbs very quickly without any stickiness or greasy feeling that may come along with other vitamin C derivatives from The Ordinary.

I’ve experienced no sensitivity or stinging from this product. It works well with makeup, too.

It also contains a 5% multi-fruit acid blend for additional exfoliation and to smooth the skin.

A 2% concentration of Apple Cider Vinegar contains acetic acid to reduce blemish-causing bacteria and citric, lactic, and succinic acids to support an even skin tone.

The peel also contains Willow Bark Extract, a natural salicylate, similar to salicylic acid, which has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties.

This rinse-off 10-minute peel smells just like apple cider vinegar.

I have somewhat sensitive skin, and I could only tolerate a very thin layer, as glycolic acid tends to irritate my skin.

This peel contains 30% alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in the form of glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids, plus 2% beta hydroxy acid (BHA) in the form of salicylic acid.

The peel also contains hyaluronic acid cross polymer for extended hydration. Vitamin B5 helps heal the skin, while black carrot provides antioxidant properties.

A Tasmanian pepperberry derivative helps to reduce irritation that is associated with exfoliating acids.

This high combination of AHAs is included in this formula to exfoliate dead skin cells in the outermost layer of skin cells to even skin tone and to brighten the appearance of your complexion.

Salicylic acid exfoliates and helps to clear pore congestion, which is ideal for oily complexions.

Due to the high concentration of free acids, The Ordinary warns that this peel should not be used on sensitive, peeling, or compromised skin and recommends that it be used only by experienced users of acid exfoliation.

It is a blood-red shade that looks very odd when applied to your skin. It is a VERY strong treatment, and while effective, I think others out there provide similar results without such high chances for irritation.

I’ve used this a few times, and it’s just too strong for my skin.

For more details on The Ordinary’s peeling solution, please see my posts on How To Use The Ordinary Peeling Solution and What To Use After The Ordinary Peeling Solution.

Caffeine works as a diuretic that helps to relieve water retention, a contributing factor to under-eye puffiness. This eye cream also contains Matrixyl 3000 peptide.

Matrixyl 3000 combines Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 with Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

This caffeine eye cream is lightweight yet has a creamy feel. It provides the perfect canvas for eye makeup, such as concealer.

It’s not the slightest bit sticky or greasy and feels silky and hydrating thanks to the addition of squalane for extra moisture.

EGCG provides protective antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Caffeine and EGCG have been shown to reduce the look of puffiness and dark circles in the eye contour.

This is a gel-like serum. It doesn’t seem to provide the moisturizing effect of a typical eye cream, so when I use this, I often need to later another eye cream on top for additional moisture under my eyes.

Related Post: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution Review

The serum contains 10% azelaic acid in a creamy quick-absorbing serum. The azelaic acid serum is ideal for dark spots, uneven skin tone, and redness.

The serum also contains micro-fine green-colored particles, which help mask redness. A 0.3% concentration of allantoin helps moisturize and soothe skin.

The serum is non-pilling and has a comfortable texture on the skin. The Inkey List notes that it leaves no white-cast or crunchy layer on your skin when used with other products.

The gentle serum is even suitable for those with rosacea.

Ideal for acne-prone skin, Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% helps reduce the look of redness, dullness, and textural irregularities.

The Ordinary notes that this formula is a great alternative to exfoliating acids (i.e. glycolic acid, lactic acid) as it has a lower chance of irritating your skin.

This means that it can be used daily for a gentle but effective brightening treatment.

The formula has a somewhat thick and grainy texture that should be applied to your skin after water-based treatments but before oils and creams.

• The treatment is enriched with 5% apricot kernel oil, which helps the skin retain moisture.
• A 2% squalane concentration helps protect and improve the skin’s barrier.
• Avocado oil also helps moisturize and add suppleness to the skin.

The thick yellow serum has a nourishing and moisturizing consistency. The serum absorbs quickly without leaving my skin feeling greasy or sticky.

The water-free serum also contains jojoba oil, which moisturizes your skin, plus tomato fruit extract and rosemary leaf extract, potent antioxidants to help protect the skin from environmental aggressors.

The texture is very lightweight but nourishing, thanks to non-greasy squalane, which is non-comedogenic and won’t cause acne and breakouts.

Collagen is a protein that helps your skin stay firm and supple. The serum uses peptides that mimic the effects of collagen in your skin to improve the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

• This peptide serum contains Matrixyl 3000, an effective peptide duo that helps smooth the look of wrinkles and fine lines and improves skin elasticity, roughness, and tone.
• Syn-Tacks Dual Peptide is another peptide in the formula that supports collagen in your skin for a firmer, smoother-looking complexion.
• The serum also contains hyaluronic acid for extra hydration and moisture.

The lightweight serum glides effortlessly over the skin and can be used in both your morning and evening skincare routines.

You can even add a few drops of the serum into your body moisturizer for firmer-looking skin on your body.

The serum contains Matrixyl 3000, like The Inkey List, PLUS:

• SYN-AKE peptide
• Matrixyl synthe’6 peptide
• ARGIRELOX peptide
• Multiple hyaluronic acid complexes
• Amino acids
• Bio-derivatives

The serum can be used twice a day and helps improve the look of crow’s feet, skin elasticity, and firmness and improves skin texture and smoothness.

About The Ordinary

The Ordinary skincare brand’s tagline is “Clinical Formulations with Integrity”. They want to bring pricing and communication integrity to the forefront of the skincare industry.

The Ordinary falls under the umbrella of brands from Deciem. Other higher-end skincare brands owned by Deciem include Niod and Hylamide, so The Ordinary enjoys the backing of an extensive family of skincare brands and their research.

The Ordinary was launched in 2017 and has become a go-to for low-priced, high-quality hero-ingredient skincare products.

You can read more about my experience with The Ordinary in this review of The Ordinary skincare products.

Related Post: How to Build A Skincare Routine with The Ordinary Products

About The Inkey List

The Inkey List aims to help you work through beauty jargon by delivering key active skincare ingredients at budget prices.

They offer trendy and classic products in plain plastic packaging, which allows for their rock-bottom prices. This keeps the focus on the product inside the packaging.

The Inkey List uses their askINKEY platforms to help empower and educate their community.

A fantastic hyaluronic acid for about $10? Yes, please!!

If you are wondering if The Inkey List is good, be sure to check out my The Inkey List review.

The Inkey List vs The Ordinary: Complementary Products

I really like these straightforward hero-ingredient products from The Inkey List and The Ordinary and their budget-friendly prices.

I found that The Ordinary was more transparent with their ingredients and formulations, and I preferred their packaging by a mile. And, on the whole, The Ordinary prices are a bit lower than The Inkey List.

The Inkey List has some great product formulations as well, and overall, I think The Inkey List’s products are more elegant in texture and skin feel.

Mix and Match

If you look at the product catalogs, each brand offers products the other doesn’t, so why not mix and match based on your skin’s needs?

Ultimately, both brands complement each other. I mix and match my favorite products like the following:

My Favorites

• The Inkey List Hyaluronic Acid
• The Inkey List Retinol Serum
• The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
• The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
• The Ordinary 100% Plant-Derived Squalane

You can try many of The Inkey List and The Ordinary products for the price of one expensive luxury brand product and often get better results than the high-end product.

I expect we will see more of these lower-priced no-frills brands soon if the success of The Inkey List and The Ordinary is any indication.

Yay for low-cost, high-quality anti-aging skincare!!